Social Media Envy

~ Comparing Yourself to Others Online ~

The internet is full of people
and images that can make us question our self-worth and compare / judge the
lifestyles of others to our own.

Here are the dangers involved and social
media's biggest lies.

The Truth About Social Media Envy & Ways to Avoid It

Let's face it. There is an astonishing amount of profiles on
social media that can make us envious.

For those minutes we spend on social
media sites, we are bombarded with jealousy-stirring stimuli.

It can be things like seeing people with a
devoted and extensive followership, attractive/close to perfection' posts, a
gazillion like and comments, figure and friendship goals.

After time, it can be quite difficult to remain sane and
self-approving.

The pictures and lifestyle that we are constantly surrounded by
can makes us feel tiny, even insignificant.

Social media envy can happen with our friends, people we
look up to, the rich, famous and celebrities. When we view the accounts of
these people, we may start to compare ourselves to them.

Are We Too Afraid to Admit It?

Social media envy is something that I think we are all
conscious of to some degree, yet it is still hard to come to terms with it and
accept the facts.

Every day we immerse ourselves in the social media world we
are reminded that on the internet, not all people are equal.

>>> This article is to expose the truth about social media envy
and to help you avoid it. To rise above it all and be confident, no matter what
the internet throws at you!

The Fact:

Social media, such as Instagram and Tumblr are extremely
influential on our perception of ourselves.

It can be very overwhelming if most of the accounts you
follow are all fitness or beauty.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with those
accounts, but the truth is, most of the time: you just can’t help but compare
yourself to what you see on them.

It is human tendency to aspire, but social media envy takes
it to a deeper and potentially dangerous level. Social media envy is continuous
and grows worse with time and exposure.

It's sad, but when you compare yourself to others only, It
can make you feel like you are living life wrong.

Great, I Must Be Living Life Wrong

Social media sometimes makes us think that everyone else is
living life perfectly, having such a great time 24/7, travelling, socialising,
eating really great food.

I think a really important thing to remember is this: Social
media is like a canvas. You can choose to create/portray your life however you
want to.

So what will people naturally do with their social media accounts?

People will choose to share their highlights.

They will put
up the best pictures of themselves, edit pictures till they are only satisfied
and always post pictures that look like they're having THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES.

Therefore, social media is no true representation of real
life. Let's be real. People on social media are still people, and no one's life
is perfect 100% of the time.

It's Almost Sinister

What you see online can be very deceiving.

People can choose
who they want to be in a way that actual, real human life does not permit.

If social media appearances were accurate, my face would
permanently be spotless/flawless and my life would basically be a party.

Right?

Everything is not what it seems...

It's really essential not to compare yourself to others,
especially those online- because the truth is- you do not know where they are
at in their lives.

For all you know, the person who you think is living the
happiest life may actually not be having such a good time.

Some people handle
their difficulties by smiling for the camera.

There is a ridiculous amount of pressure with girls in
particular, about body image.

On the internet, we are always pushed with somebody's
idea or image of a perfect woman.

Comparing yourself to others is not only unhealthy, but also
pointless.

Comparison can be a frustrating cycle.

You compare yourself to those on
your account but then you walk down the street and someone else is probably
wishing they were more like you.

How Ironic.

But It happens. A lot.

And just one negative comparing thought can snowball and leave you
feeling bad. Most of us are not supermodels, but trust me, we are beautiful the way
we are.

Social Media's Biggest Lies:

Here are some of the things social media makes people think.
They're all ideas connected to social media envy and internet celebrities.

1.
You have to look like the celebrities and you're only
important if you do.

We are generally trained with the desire to look like online
celebrities and envy them. Social media programs us to be jealous and feel
bad about ourselves so products will sell.

2. Outward appearances and beauty are the most important thing in the world.

The outside is all that matters. Your appearance has to be fabulous
all the time with the emphasis on beauty and fashion.

3. Those who have glitzy social media lives are superior.
Period.

They lead better lives and thus you should want to be like
them. They are a special breed of human and all lives are supposed to be like
theirs.

4. It is only normal to be obsessed with the famous people on social media and
follow them like a religion.

It is only normal for social media kings and queens to have
millions of followers. They should be worshiped because it is only normal. We
need to follow their every move because their lives of glitz and glamour should
guide ours.

Sound pretty crazy eh? Well if we are honest, these are
basically the thoughts that social media tends to emphasize and it can lead to
a serious amount of envy.

How to Quit The Comparison and Gain Confidence

Remove yourself off Instagram of Facebook etc. for a couple
of days and see how you feel.

It may be quite refreshing to separate yourself
from the 'made up world' for a while.

Catch yourself in the moment of comparison. And stop..

You don’t need to be that person and you don’t need to be
jealous.

After all, for your whole life you are going to be you, never them.

So get comfortable
with that unique privilege.

Here are some things that have been extremely helpful to
combat bad thoughts and comparing myself to others:

'The only person you should try to be better than is the
person you were yesterday.'

'Do not compare your beginnings to someone else's middle.'

Thanks for reading :)

What are your thoughts on this?

Any particular experiences with Social Media Envy? Comment below!

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